Multipurpose indicator lights

ABSTRACT

A method of utilizing device indicator lights includes providing a device that includes a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control. A first set and a second set of device states are monitored. The plurality of device indicator lights are individually utilized to communicate each of the first set of device states. It is determined if the user control has been activated. The plurality of device indicator lights are used in concert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon a determination that the user control has been activated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of provisional applications60/949,585 entitled “Alternative Use of Router Indicator Lights” filedJul. 13, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Computers and other devices are linked in a local data network by arouter. That router also enables those devices to communicate over awide area data network such as the internet. The electronics thatperform the router functions typically reside on one or more printedcircuit boards housed in a protective enclosure. The enclosure providesvarious connectors for data flowing into and out of the router as wellas a connector to provide power to the router. A router may have a userinterface made up of lights and user controls such as buttons andswitches. The controls allow a user to perform functions such as turningthe router on and off or perform some aspect of configuring the router'sbehavior.

The user interface lights are often arranged in a row along an edge orthe side of the router. By arranging the lights in this fashion, it iseasy to label the function of each light and the lights are arranged tobe all visible to the user at the same time. In addition, this isgenerally the simplest and most cost effective way to implements thelights, since the lights are often LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) whichcan be mounted in a row along the edge of a printed circuit board, so asto align with windows in the router's enclosure.

The user interface lights communicate the router's current state to theuser. Each light has an individualized purpose. In other words, eachlight is reflective of one of any number of possible router functions orconditions. Possible states reflected by a given light include:

-   -   Power—an indication of whether the router is on or off;    -   WAN (Wide Area Network)—an indication of whether the upstream        network is functioning correctly;    -   LAN (Local Area Network)—an indication of whether a particular        physical LAN port is active.    -   USB (Universal Serial Bus)—an indication of whether the router        has an active connection to a device through a USB port.    -   WiFi—an indication of whether the router is actively supporting        a wireless network.    -   Modem—an indication of whether the router has a functioning        connection with a modem such as a cable or DSL modem.

As noted, each indicator light is dedicated to indicating the status ofa single function. To indicate the current status of a given function, alight may turn on or off, change color, blink, or do some combinationthereof. For example, one light may be dedicated to indicating whetherthe router is on (light is on) or off (light is off), or is in theprocess of turning on (light is flashing).

Because a router's status indicator lights each serve an individualpurpose, the type of information that can be communicated is limited.While some indicator lights may have multiple selectable colors and somemay blink enabling each such light to indicate multiple states, theresolution provided by blinking and color selection is not sufficient toeffectively communicate information such as a magnitude that is moreanalog in nature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary block diagrams of environments inwhich embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

FIGS. 3-5 and 6A-6E are block diagrams showing physical and logicalcomponents of a router device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating steps taken inperformance of various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction:

Various embodiments described below utilize a group of device indicatorlights individually for a separate purposes while also selectivelyutilizing the group of indicator lights in concert to serve a commonpurpose. In other words, each device indicator light is able to operateindividually to communicate a particular device state. However, when soselected, the group of indicator lights can be used together as a groupto communicate yet another device state having a magnitude. In otherwords, the device indicator lights can be used in concert to communicateinformation such as a signal strength or a battery level.

For example, a device such as a cellular router provides the samefunctions as a standard wired router, and therefore includes indicatorlights to communicate the same information in the same manner as astandard wired router. However, the cellular router has at least oneadditional piece of information to communicate to the user, which wiredrouters do not. Cellular routers connect to the internet through awireless radio-to-radio connection supplied by a cellular telephone orsome other device capable of exchanging data over a cellular network. Assuch, the state of the connection is not simply on or off, but includesthe quality or strength of the connection.

Generally, a user is free to place the cellular router in many possiblelocations in the general areas where a local network is desired.However, it often proves desirable to place the cellular router in alocation which maximizes the signal strength, and thereby provides themaximum possible data transmission rate between the cellular router andthe cellular tower. If the signal strength between the cellular routerand the cellular tower is weak, then the data transmission rates betweenthe cellular router and the cellular tower will be slow. If the signalstrength between the cellular router and the cellular tower is strong,then the data transmission rates can be fast. Various embodiments allowthe router indicator lights to be used in concert to provide real-timefeedback on the signal strength while the user is in the process ofselecting a location to place the cellular router.

Environment:

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary environment 1 in which various embodimentsof the present invention may be implemented. Environment 10 includesrouter device 10 and clients 12, 14, and 16 and local link 18. Routerdevice 10, discussed in more detail later, represents generally a devicecapable or routing network communications between clients 12, 14, and 16and internet 26 via a data exchanger 20. Clients 12, 14, and 16represent generally any computing devices capable of communicating withrouter device 10.

Local link 18 interconnects router device 10 and clients 12, 14, 16.Local link 18 represents generally a cable, wireless, or remote link viaa telecommunication link, an infrared link, a radio frequency link, orany other connector or system that provides electronic communicationbetween devices 10, 12, 14, and 16. The path followed by link 18 betweendevices 10, 12, 14, and 16 in the schematic view of FIG. 1 representsthe logical communication path between these devices, not necessarilythe physical path between the devices. Devices 10, 12, 14, and 16 can beconnected at any point and the appropriate communication pathestablished logically between the devices.

Environment 1 also includes data exchanger 20 and service provider 22.Data exchanger 20 represents generally any combination of hardwareand/or programming that can be utilized by router device 10 to connectto a remote network such as the internet. While illustrated as aninternet enabled cellular telephone, data exchanger 20 is not solimited. For example, data exchanger 20 may be a PCMCIA card or otherdevice capable of cellular data communication. Internet enabled cellulartelephones and other devices that are capable of data communicationsover a cellular network are referred to herein as data capable cellulardevices. Other examples for data exchanger 20 include but are notlimited to DSL modems and cable modems.

Service provider 22 represents generally any infrastructure configuredto provide internet related data services to subscribers such as anowner of data exchanger 20. For example, where data exchanger 20 is adata capable cellular devices, service provider 22 may be a cellulartelephone service provider capable of providing voice and data servicesto subscribers allowing access to internet 26. Where data exchanger 22is a DSL or cable modem, service provider 22 may be a more traditionalinternet service provider (ISP) providing data access to internet 26.

Data link 24 serves as a common communications link through whichcommunications are routed between internet 26 and clients 12, 14, and16. Data link 24 interconnects data exchanger 20 and service provider 22and represents generally any combination of a cable, wireless, or remoteconnection via a telecommunication link, an infrared link, a radiofrequency link, or any other connector or system that provideselectronic communication between data exchanger 20 and service provider22.

In the embodiment illustrated in environment 1, device link 28interconnects router device 10 and data exchanger 20. Device link 28represents generally any combination of a cable, wireless, or remoteconnection via a telecommunication link, an infrared link, a radiofrequency link, or any other connector or system that provideselectronic communication between devices 10 and 20. As examples, devicelink 28 may incorporate a physical USB cable or radio waves carryingBluetooth communications.

Communication between clients 12, 14, and 16 and internet 26 isdependent upon router device 10. Router device 10, as discussed belowwith respect to FIGS. 3-6, includes components capable of collectingindividualized usage information from clients 12, 14, and 16 accessingthe Internet via data link 24 using a data plan assigned to dataexchanger 20. Router device 10 is also capable of communicating theusage information to an interested server in the internet 26.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary environment 2 in which variousembodiments of the present invention may be implemented. In the exampleof FIG. 2, data exchanger 20 (not shown) and router device 10 areincorporated within the same device. Device link 32 (shown in FIG. 1) iseliminated and replaced with internal connections. In such a scenario,data exchanger may take the form of a PCMCIA card or any other devicethat can be inserter into a slot or otherwise coupled to router device10. Alternatively, data exchanger 20 may be fully integrated into routerdevice 10

Router Device:

FIG. 3 is a sample illustration of the exterior of router device 10. Inthis example, router device 10 includes an enclosure 27 that encasesinternal circuitry. Enclosure 27 provides a user interface that includesa row of device indicator lights 28 and a series of user controls 30.While shown as including a particular configuration and number, the userinterface can have any number of indicator lights 30 and controlsoriented in any of a number of possible configurations. While controls30 are shown as buttons that can be activated when pressed by a user,controls 30 can be any component type that can have a detectableresponse when activated by a user.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating physical and logical componentsof router device 10. As described above, router device 10 representsgenerally any combination of hardware and/programming capable ofdirecting network communications between clients and the internet via adata exchanger such as a data capable cellular device, DSL modem, orcable modem.

In the example of FIG. 4 router device 10 includes local networkinterface 32 and data exchanger interface 34. Local network interface 32represents generally any combination of hardware and/or programinstructions capable of supplying a communication interface betweenrouter device 10 and clients 12, 14, and 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Dataexchanger interface 34 represents any combination of hardware and/orprogramming enabling data to be communicated between router device 10and a data exchanger 20 shown in FIG. 1. For example, interfaces 32 and34 may include a transceiver operable to exchange network communicationsutilizing a wireless protocol such as ultrawideband (UWB), Bluetooth, or802.11. Alternatively, interfaces 32 and 34 may include physical portsor other physical connection points enabling wired communication. It isalso noted that local network interface 32 may include both wired andwireless interfaces. The wireless interface, may for example, be a WiFiinterface utilizing an 802.11 protocol or some other wireless protocol.The wired interface may, for example, a series of wired Ethernet ports.

Router device 10 also includes connector 36, router 38, interfacecontroller 40 and power supply 42. Connector 36 represents generally anycombination of hardware and/or programming for sending a signal to dataexchanger 20 to establish a data connection with service provider 22 sothat access can be made to internet 26. For example, where a dataexchanger 20 is a data capable cellular device, connector 36 may send asignal causing the data capable cellular device to establish such a datalink with service provider 22.

Router 38 represents generally any combination of hardware and/orprogramming for routing network communication received through networkinterface 32 to be transmitted by data exchanger 20 to internet 26.Router 38 is also responsible for routing inbound network communicationsreceived from internet 26 and directed via network interface 32 to aspecified client 12, 14, or 16. Outbound and inbound networkcommunications, for example can be an IP (internet Protocol) packetsdirected to a target on internet 26 or to a particular network device12, 14, or 16 on a local area network.

Interface controller 40, described in more detail below, representsgenerally and combination of hardware and programming capable ofmonitoring various states of router device 10, detecting a user'sactivation of user controls 30, and utilizing indicator lights 28 tocommunicate various states of router device 10.

Power supply 42 represents generally any source of power capable ofpowering the various components of router device 10. While shown asbeing an integral component of router device 10, power supply 42 mayinstead be external. For example, power supply could be an integralcomponent of data exchanger 20 (FIG. 1). In a given implementation,power supply 42 is a battery power supply.

Interface controller 40 is shown to include state engine 44, controlengine 46, and light engine 48. State engine 44, represents generallyany combination of hardware and programming capable of communicatingwith local network interface 32, data exchanger interface 34, connector36, router 38, power supply 42, and data exchanger 20 (FIG. 1) tomonitor various states of router device 10. As noted in the backgroundsection, those states can include:

-   -   Power—an indication of whether the router is on or off;    -   WAN (Wide Area Network)—an indication of whether the upstream        network is functioning correctly;    -   LAN (Local Area Network)—an indication of whether a particular        physical LAN port is active;    -   USB (Universal Serial Bus)—an indication of whether the router        has an active connection to a device through a USB port.    -   WiFi—an indication of whether the router is actively supporting        a wireless network; and    -   Modem—an indication of whether the router has a functioning        connection with a data exchanger such as a data enabled cellular        device, or a cable or DSL modem.        The status of each of the above states can be communicated in a        binary nature. The power is either on or off, the WAN is either        functioning or not, a particular LAN port is either active or        not, and so on. Of course a different device implementing an        embodiment would have different states.

The status of other device states are not capable of being effectivelycommunicated in a binary manner. Such other states have a magnitude thatis more analog in nature. For example, the other states can include asignal strength of data link 24 (FIG. 1), a battery power level forpower supply, a number of client devices communicating with routerdevice 10 via a wireless interface, and a rate at which data is beingtransferred over data link 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Each of these states hasa magnitude that can be communicated on a scale ranging from minimum tomaximum. A weak signal strength could be communicated as a minimum onthe scale while a strong signal could be communicated as a maximum. Ofcourse there are various levels of signal strength between minimum andmaximum.

To monitor signal strength, state engine 44 may poll data exchanger 20for the information via data exchanger interface 36. To monitor thenumber of client devices accessing router device 10 via a wirelessinterface, state engine 44 may poll local network interface 32. Tomonitor the rate at which data is being transferred on data link 24,state engine 44 may poll router 38 and/or data exchanger 20. To monitorthe power level, state engine 44 may poll power supply 42.

Control engine 46 represents generally any combination of hardware andprogramming capable of determining if a given user control 30 has infact been activated 30. For example, when a user depresses a control 30,a circuit is closed or opened which is detected by control engine 46.Control engine 46 identifies the particular user control 30 byidentifying the particular circuit that has been closed or opened.Control engine 46 may also identify when two or more of controls 30 havebeen activated together. Control engine 44 may also responsible forcommunicating data to light engine 46 indicating which control button orbuttons have been activated.

Light engine 48 represents generally any combination of hardware andprogramming capable utilizing indicator lights to communicate the statusof various states monitored by state engine 44. In a default mode, lightengine 48 utilizes each indicator lithe 28 individually to communicate adifferent state. When utilized individually, each indicator light 28communicates information in corresponding to a different monitoredstate. As discussed above, one indicator light can be used tocommunicate whether or not router device is powered on. Anotherindicator light can communicate whether or not a particular LAN port isactive. There are many such examples.

Light engine 48 is also responsible for utilizing indicator lights inconcert to communicate the status of other states having a magnitudethat can be represented on a scale. The activation of a single indicatorlight 28 would indicate that the given monitored state is at a minimumlevel or magnitude. Activation of all indicator lights 28 or a specifiedconsecutive subset thereof, would indicate that the given monitoredstate is at a maximum magnitude. Thus, the number of consecutive lightsbeing activated is proportional to the magnitude of the monitored state.

For example, a monitored state may be a level or magnitude that isseventy percent of maximum. In such a case, light engine 28 wouldactivate a consecutive portion of indicator lights 28 dedicated tocommunicating that state. The number of consecutive indicator lightsincluded in that portion as compared to the total number of indicatorlights dedicated to communicating that state would be proportional tothe seventy percent magnitude. In other words, if there are tenindicator lights dedicated to communicating the state, light engine 48would activate a sequence of seven of those lights.

As a further explanation, each activated indicator light in theconsecutive portion corresponds to a fraction of the magnitude of themonitored state. Since there are a finite number of indicator lights 28,the sum of those fractions plus a remainder will equal the monitoredmagnitude. As such light engine 48 activates the consecutive portion ofindicator lights 28 in a first manner each light corresponding to agiven fraction. This first manner may be turning on the consecutiveportion of indicator lights 28 or causing the consecutive portion tolight up in a particular color. Light engine 48 then activates anotherindicator light 28 in a second manner that is different than the firstmanner. The other indicator light 28 is not part of the consecutiveportion but may be adjacent to the consecutive portion. For example,light engine 48 may cause the other indicator light 28 to blink. Therate at which the other indicator light 28 is caused to blink canreflect the size of the remainder. For example, as the magnitude of amonitored state increases in real time, the remainder also increasedcausing the rate at which that other indicator light blinks to alsoincrease. A user viewing the acceleration in the blink rate could then,in real time, discern an increasing level magnitude for the particularstate.

As the magnitude continues to increase, the blinking indicator lightwill eventually become one of the consecutive portion and anotherindicator light will be activated in the second manner. The same logicholds true when the magnitude of the monitored state is decreasing. Insuch a case the indicator light being activated in the second manned mayhave a decelerating blinking rate. Eventually, as the magnitudecontinues to decrease, that indicator light will no longer be active andone of the consecutive portion of indicator lights will be removed andactivated in the second manner.

As noted above, light engine 48, by default, utilizes each indicatorlithe 28 individually to communicate a different state. Light engine 48is taken out of the default mode when control engine 46 determines thata given user control 30 has in fact been activated 30. When removed fromdefault mode, light engine 48 utilizes indicator lights 28 in concert tocommunicate a given state. The particular state being communicated byutilizing the indicator lights in concert depends upon the particularuser control 30 determined to have been activated. For example, theactivation of one control 30 may cause a signal strength to becommunicated while the activation of another control may cause a batterypower level to be communicated. In yet another example, the activationof two controls 30 together may cause yet another state such as atransfer rate to be communicated.

As alluded to above, the indicator lights 28 may be divided into sets.Each set can then be used in concert to communicate a state. Forexample, upon determining that a first user control 30 has beenactivated, light engine 48 utilizes a first set of indicator lights 28to communicate a first state corresponding to that first user control.Upon determining that a second user control 30 has been activated, lightengine 48 utilizes a second set of indicator lights 28 to communicate asecond state corresponding to that second user control. Thus each set ofindicator lights 28 can be used in concert to communicate a differentstate.

FIGS. 5 and 6A-6E illustrate examples of utilizing indicator lights 28to communicate various states. In FIG. 5, indicator lights 28 are beingutilized in a default mode so that each individually communicatesdifferent state. The particular state being communicated by a givenindicator light 28 is identified by the label below that indicator light28. In FIG. 6A, user control 30 labeled “SIGNAL” 50 has been activatedtaking indicator lights 28 out of default mode. In this exampleindicator lights 28 are being used in concert to communicate a signalstrength 52. As shown, a consecutive portion of indicator lights areuniformly activated is a first manner while an adjacent indicator lightpositioned above the label “LAN2” has been activated in a second manner.As described above, the second manner of activation may result inblinking at a particular rate or the illumination of a particular color.

A scale 53 is imprinted on enclosure 27 of router device 10. The extentto which the consecutive portion of indicator lights are activated tofill scale 53 corresponds to the magnitude of the state beingcommunicated. In this example, the scale ranges from a minimumcorresponding to an indicator light 28 positioned above the label“POWER” to a maximum corresponding to an indicator light positionedabove the label “LAN4”

In FIG. 6B, user control 30 labeled “BATTERY” 54 has been activatedtaking indicator lights 28 out of default mode. In this exampleindicator lights 28 are being used in concert to communicate a batterystrength or power level 56. As shown, a consecutive portion of indicatorlights are uniformly activated is a first manner while an adjacentindicator light positioned above the label “WAN” has been activated in asecond manner. As described above, the second manner of activation mayresult in blinking at a particular rate or the illumination of aparticular color.

In FIG. 6C, two user controls 30 labeled “SIGNAL” 50 and “BATTERY” 54have been activated together. In this example, the combination of usercontrols 50 and 54 are labeled “TRANSFER RATE.” In this exampleindicator lights 28 are being used in concert to communicate a datatransfer rate 58. As shown, a consecutive portion of indicator lightsare uniformly activated is a first manner while an adjacent indicatorlight positioned above the label “LAN4” has been activated in a secondmanner. As described above, the second manner of activation may resultin blinking at a particular rate or the illumination of a particularcolor.

In FIGS. 6D and 6E, scale 53 has been replaced with scales 53′ and 53″.Scale 53′ corresponds to a first consecutive set 62 of indicator lights28 while scale 53″ corresponds to a second set 68. Starting with FIG.6D, user control 30′ labeled “SIGNAL” 60 has been activated takingindicator lights 28 out of default mode. In this example indicatorlights 28 of the first set 62 are being used in concert to communicate asignal strength 64. In FIG. 6E, user control 30′ labeled “BATTERY” 66has been activated taking indicator lights 28 out of default mode. Inthis example indicator lights 28 of the second set 68 are being used inconcert to communicate a power level 70.

Operation:

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating steps taken inperformance of various embodiments. Data communications are routedbetween a plurality of clients and the internet over a data link (step72). A first set and a second set of router states is monitored (step74). The first set of router states include states that can each becommunicated by utilizing an individual indicator light. The second setof router states includes states that are of a magnitude such that theyare communicated by utilizing indicator lights in concert. The routerindicator lights are individually utilized to communicate each of thefirst set of router states (step 76).

It is determined if a user control has been activated (step 78). If not,the process repeats with step 72. If a user control has been activated,the router indicator lights are utilized in concert to communicate oneof the second router states corresponding to the particular user controlthat was determined to have been activated (step 80). The process thenrepeats with step 72.

CONCLUSION

The schematic diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplaryenvironments in which embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented. Implementation, however, is not limited to theseenvironments. Embodiments may be implemented in any device havingindicator lights. The diagrams of FIGS. 3-6 show the architecture,functionality, and operation of various embodiments of the presentinvention. A number of the blocks are defined, at least in part, asprograms or programming. Each of those blocks may represent in whole orin part a module, segment, or portion of code that comprises one or moreexecutable instructions to implement the specified logical function(s).Each block may represent a circuit or a number of interconnectedcircuits to implement the specified logical function(s).

Also, the present invention can be embodied in any computer-readablemedia for use by or in connection with an instruction execution systemsuch as a computer/processor based system or an ASIC (ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit) or other system that can fetch or obtainthe logic from computer-readable media and execute the instructionscontained therein. “Computer-readable media” can be any media that cancontain, store, or maintain programs and data for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system. Computer readablemedia can comprise any one of many physical media such as, for example,electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor media.More specific examples of suitable computer-readable media include, butare not limited to, a portable magnetic computer diskette such as floppydiskettes or hard drives, a random access memory (RAM), a read-onlymemory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory, or a portablecompact disc.

Although the flow diagram of FIG. 7 shows specific order of execution,the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted. Forexample, the order of execution of two or more blocks may be scrambledrelative to the order shown. Also, two or more blocks shown insuccession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Allsuch variations are within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention has been shown and described with reference to theforegoing exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood, however, thatother forms, details and embodiments may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention that is defined in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of utilizing device indicator lights,comprising: providing a device comprising a plurality of deviceindicator lights and a user control; monitoring a first set and a secondset of device states, wherein the first set of device states comprise abinary ‘on’ or ‘off’ state, and further wherein the second set of devicestates comprise an analog state; individually utilizing the plurality ofdevice indicator lights to communicate each of the first set of devicestates such that each of the plurality of device indicator lightsrepresents a distinct binary state of one of the first set of devicestates; determining if the user control has been activated; utilizingthe plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate oneof the second set of device states upon a determination that the usercontrol has been activated; wherein monitoring the second set of devicestates includes monitoring a device state having a magnitude; andutilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprisesactivating a consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicatorlights, the consecutive portion including a selected number of thedevice indicator lights, the selected number being proportional to themagnitude; and wherein each of the activated consecutive portion ofdevice status indicator lights corresponds to a fraction of themagnitude such that the sum of the fractions plus a remainder is equalto the magnitude; and utilizing the plurality of device indicator lightsin concert comprises activating the consecutive portion of the pluralityof device indicator lights in a first manner and activating another ofthe plurality of device indicator lights in a second manner differentthan the first manner, the first manner indicating the fraction, thesecond manner indicating the remainder.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein: providing a device comprises providing a router deviceconfigured to route data communications between a plurality of clientdevices and the internet via a shared wireless data link supplied by adata exchanger; monitoring a second set of device states comprisesmonitoring a strength of the wireless data link; and utilizing theplurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing theplurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate thestrength.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: providing a devicecomprises providing a router device configured to route datacommunications between a plurality of client devices and the internetvia a shared data link supplied by a data exchanger; monitoring a secondset of device states comprises monitoring rate at which data istransferred over the shared data link; and utilizing the plurality ofdevice indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing the plurality ofdevice indicator lights in concert to communicate the rate.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: providing a device comprises providing arouter device configured to route data communications between aplurality of client devices and the internet via a shared data linksupplied by a data exchanger, the router device being capable ofwireless communication with the plurality of client devices; monitoringa second set of device states comprises monitoring a number of theplurality of client devices in wireless communication with the routerdevice; and utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert comprises utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate the number.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein:providing a device comprises providing a device having a battery powersource; monitoring a second set of device states comprises monitoring apower level of the battery power source; and utilizing the plurality ofdevice indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing the plurality ofdevice indicator lights in concert to communicate the power level. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein: providing a device comprises providing adevice that includes a plurality of device indicator lights and aplurality of user controls; determining comprises determining if one ofthe plurality of user controls has been activated; and utilizing theplurality of device indicator lights in concert comprises utilizing theplurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate aparticular one of the second set of device states, the particular one ofthe second set of device states corresponding to the particular one ofthe user controls determined to have been activated.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein: determining comprises determining if two or more ofthe plurality of user controls have been activated together; andutilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprisesutilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert tocommunicate a particular one of the second set of device states, theparticular one of the second set of device states corresponding to thetwo or more user controls determined to have been activated together. 8.The method of claim 6, wherein determining comprises determining if afirst or a second one of the plurality of user controls has beenactivated, and wherein utilizing the plurality of device indicatorlights in concert comprises: upon determining that the first one of theuser controls has been activated, utilizing a first set of the pluralityof device indicator lights in concert to communicate a first one of thesecond set of device states, the first one of the second set of devicestates corresponding to the first one of the user controls; and upondetermining that the second one of the user controls has been activated,utilizing a second set of the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate a second one of the second set of device states,the second one of the second set of device states corresponding to thesecond one of the user controls.
 9. A non-transitory computer readablemedium having computer executable instructions, the instructions beingexecutable by a device having a plurality of device indicator lights anda user control, wherein the medium includes instructions for: monitoringa first set and a second set of device states, wherein the first set ofdevice states comprise a binary ‘on’ or ‘off’ state, and further whereinthe second set of device states comprise an analog state; individuallyutilizing the plurality of device indicator lights to communicate eachof the first set of device states such that each of the plurality ofdevice indicator lights represents a distinct binary state of one of thefirst set of device states; determining if the user control has beenactivated; utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concertto communicate one of the second set of device states upon adetermination that the user control has been activated; wherein theinstructions for monitoring the second set of device states includeinstructions for monitoring a device state having a magnitude; and theinstructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert include instructions for activating a consecutive portion of theplurality of device indicator lights, the consecutive portion includinga selected number of the device indicator lights, the selected numberbeing proportional to the magnitude; and wherein each of the activatedconsecutive portion of device status indicator lights corresponds to afraction of the magnitude such that the sum of the fractions plus aremainder is equal to the magnitude; and the light engine is configuredto utilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert byactivating the consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicatorlights in a first manner and activating another of the plurality ofdevice indicator lights in a second manner different than the firstmanner, the first manner indicating the fraction, the second mannerindicating the remainder.
 10. The medium of claim 9, wherein: the deviceis a router device configured to route data communications between aplurality of client devices and the internet via a shared wireless datalink supplied by a data exchanger; the instructions for monitoring asecond set of device states include instructions for monitoring astrength of the wireless data link; and the instructions for utilizingthe plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructionsfor utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert tocommunicate the strength.
 11. The medium of claim 9, wherein: the deviceis a router device configured to route data communications between aplurality of client devices and the internet via a shared data linksupplied by a data exchanger; the instructions for monitoring a secondset of device states include instructions for monitoring rate at whichdata is transferred over the shared data link; and the instructions forutilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert includeinstructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate the rate.
 12. The medium of claim 9, wherein: thedevice is a router device configured to route data communicationsbetween a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared datalink supplied by a data exchanger, the router device being capable ofwireless communication with the plurality of client devices; theinstructions for monitoring a second set of device states includeinstructions for monitoring a number of the plurality of client devicesin wireless communication with the router device; and the instructionsfor utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concertinclude instructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicatorlights in concert to communicate the number.
 13. The medium of claim 9,wherein: the device has a battery power source; the instructions formonitoring a second set of device states include instructions formonitoring a power level of the battery power source; and theinstructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert include instructions for utilizing the plurality of deviceindicator lights in concert to communicate the power level.
 14. Themedium of claim 9, wherein: the device has a plurality of deviceindicator lights and a plurality of user controls; the instructions fordetermining include instructions for determining if one of the pluralityof user controls has been activated; and the instructions for utilizingthe plurality of device indicator lights in concert include instructionsfor utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert tocommunicate a particular one of the second set of device states, theparticular one of the second set of device states corresponding to theparticular one of the user controls determined to have been activated.15. The medium of claim 14, wherein: the instructions for determininginclude instructions for determining if two or more of the plurality ofuser controls have been activated together; and the instructions forutilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert includeinstructions for utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate a particular one of the second set of devicestates, the particular one of the second set of device statescorresponding to the two or more user controls determined to have beenactivated together.
 16. The medium of claim 14, wherein the instructionsfor determining include instructions for determining if a first or asecond one of the plurality of user controls has been activated, andwherein utilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concertinclude instructions for: upon determining that the first one of theuser controls has been activated, utilizing a first set of the pluralityof device indicator lights in concert to communicate a first one of thesecond set of device states, the first one of the second set of devicestates corresponding to the first one of the user controls; and upondetermining that the second one of the user controls has been activated,utilizing a second set of the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate a second one of the second set of device states,the second one of the second set of device states corresponding to thesecond one of the user controls.
 17. A system, comprising: a pluralityof device indicator lights and a user control; a state engine configuredto monitor a first set and a second set of device states wherein thefirst set of device states comprise a binary ‘on’ or ‘off’ state, andfurther wherein the second set of device states comprise an analogstate; a light engine configured to individually utilize the pluralityof device indicator lights to communicate each of the first set ofdevice states, wherein when utilized individually, each of the pluralityof device indicator lights represents a distinct binary state of one ofthe first set of device states; a control engine configured to determineif the user control has been activated; and wherein the light engine isconfigured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon adetermination by the control engine that the user control has beenactivated; the state engine is configured to monitor a device statehaving a magnitude; the light engine is configured to utilize theplurality of device indicator lights in concert by activating aconsecutive portion of the plurality of device indicator lights, theconsecutive portion including a selected number of the plurality ofdevice indicator lights, the selected number being proportional to themagnitude; each of the activated consecutive portion of device statusindicator lights corresponds to a fraction of the magnitude such thatthe sum of the fractions plus a remainder is equal to the magnitude; andthe light engine is configured to utilize the plurality of deviceindicator lights in concert by activating the consecutive portion of theplurality of device indicator lights in a first manner and activatinganother of the plurality of device indicator lights in a second mannerdifferent than the first manner, the first manner indicating thefraction, the second manner indicating the remainder.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, further comprising a router configured to route datacommunications between a plurality of client devices and the internetvia a shared wireless data link supplied by a data exchanger, andwherein: the second set of device states includes a strength of thewireless data link; and the light controller is configured to utilizethe plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate thestrength.
 19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a routerconfigured to route data communications between a plurality of clientdevices and the internet via a shared data link supplied by a dataexchanger, and wherein: the second set of device states includes a rateat which data is transferred over the shared data link; and the lightcontroller is configured to utilize the plurality of device indicatorlights in concert to communicate the rate.
 20. The system of claim 17,further comprising a router configured to route data communicationsbetween a plurality of client devices and the internet via a shared datalink supplied by a data exchanger, the router being capable of wirelesscommunication with the plurality of client devices, and wherein: thesecond set of device states includes a number of the plurality of clientdevices in wireless communication with the router; and the light engineis configured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate the number.
 21. The system of claim 17, furthercomprising a battery power source; the second set of device statesincludes a power level of the battery power source; and the light engineis operable to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate the power level.
 22. The system of claim 17,wherein: the user control is one of a plurality of user controls; thecontrol engine is configured to determine if one of the plurality ofuser controls has been activated; and the light engine is configured toutilize the plurality of device indicator lights in concert tocommunicate a particular one of the second set of device states, theparticular one of the second set of device states corresponding to theparticular one of the user controls determined to have been activated bythe control engine.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein: the controlengine is configured to determine if two or more of the plurality ofuser controls have been activated together; and the light engine isconfigured to utilize the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate a particular one of the second set of devicestates, the particular one of the second set of device statescorresponding to the two or more user controls determined to have beenactivated together by the control engine.
 24. The system of claim 22,wherein the control engine is configured to determine if a first one anda second one of the plurality of user controls has been activated, andthe light engine is configured to: upon a determination by the controlengine that the first one of the user controls has been activated,utilize a first set of the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate a first one of the second set of device states,the first one of the second set of device states corresponding to thefirst one of the user controls; and upon a determination by the controlengine that the second one of the user controls has been activated,utilize a second set of the plurality of device indicator lights inconcert to communicate a second one of the second set of device states,the second one of the second set of device states corresponding to thesecond one of the user controls.
 25. A device, comprising: means forproviding a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control;means for monitoring a first set and a second set of device states,wherein the first set of device states comprise a binary ‘on’ or ‘off’state, and further wherein the second set of device states comprise ananalog state; means for individually utilizing the plurality of deviceindicator lights to communicate each of the first set of device states,wherein when utilized individually, each of the plurality of deviceindicator lights represents a distinct binary state of one of the firstset of device states; means for determining if the user control has beenactivated; and means for utilizing the plurality of device indicatorlights in concert to communicate one of the second set of device statesupon a determination that the user control has been activated; whereinthe means for monitoring the first and second set of device statesincludes monitoring a device state having a magnitude; and the means forutilizing the plurality of device indicator lights in concert comprisesactivating a consecutive portion of the plurality of device indicatorlights, the consecutive portion including a selected number of thedevice indicator lights, the selected number being proportional to themagnitude; and wherein each of the activated consecutive portion ofdevice status indicator lights corresponds to a fraction of themagnitude such that the sum of the fractions plus a remainder is equalto the magnitude; and the means for utilizing the plurality of deviceindicator lights in concert comprises activating the consecutive portionof the plurality of device indicator lights in a first manner andactivating another of the plurality of device indicator lights in asecond manner different than the first manner, the first mannerindicating the fraction, the second manner indicating the remainder.